<p>Satellite constellations allow distributed tasks among multiple spacecraft, reducing mission time and enhancing objectives. Interest in constellations has increased due to reduced costs in satellite production and launch. A key step in constellation planning is its design, which determines the orbital distribution of the satellites. In this work, we apply the 2D Necklace Flower Constellations methodology to explore possible architectures for future missions around Titan. As a result of strong perturbations in regions near natural satellites and environmental restrictions on Titan, proposals for maintaining constellations to enhance data collection and prevent mutual collisions between the satellites involved are an important aspect to consider. Therefore, the proposed designs incorporate frozen orbits and repetition ground tracks in an initial dynamical model that includes the effects of the <InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="43020_2025_180_Article_IEq1.gif" Format="GIF" Height="16" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="17" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$J_2$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <msub> <mi>J</mi> <mn>2</mn> </msub> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> and <InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="43020_2025_180_Article_IEq2.gif" Format="GIF" Height="16" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="17" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$J_3$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <msub> <mi>J</mi> <mn>3</mn> </msub> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> perturbations. Analyses using a simplified dynamic model, with a simple mean and a complete dynamic model, employing the IAS15 integrator from the Rebound package, show that, for the assumed perturbations, the proposed constellation configurations maintain long-term ground-track coverage of the surface of Titan. The performance evaluation indicates that the methodology provides robust constellation geometries, supporting orbit control and mission feasibility for Titan exploration.</p>

Satellite constellation design for Titan exploration: orbit design and performance assessment

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2025年10月30日

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Lucas S. Ferreira,
Daniel Casanova,
Eva Tresaco,
Antonio F. B. A. Prado

摘要

Satellite constellations allow distributed tasks among multiple spacecraft, reducing mission time and enhancing objectives. Interest in constellations has increased due to reduced costs in satellite production and launch. A key step in constellation planning is its design, which determines the orbital distribution of the satellites. In this work, we apply the 2D Necklace Flower Constellations methodology to explore possible architectures for future missions around Titan. As a result of strong perturbations in regions near natural satellites and environmental restrictions on Titan, proposals for maintaining constellations to enhance data collection and prevent mutual collisions between the satellites involved are an important aspect to consider. Therefore, the proposed designs incorporate frozen orbits and repetition ground tracks in an initial dynamical model that includes the effects of the $J_2$ $J_{2}$ and $J_3$ $J_{3}$ perturbations. Analyses using a simplified dynamic model, with a simple mean and a complete dynamic model, employing the IAS15 integrator from the Rebound package, show that, for the assumed perturbations, the proposed constellation configurations maintain long-term ground-track coverage of the surface of Titan. The performance evaluation indicates that the methodology provides robust constellation geometries, supporting orbit control and mission feasibility for Titan exploration.